9781422286739

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

ascetic Someone who practices strict self-denial as a means of self-discipline daimyo Semi-independent feudal lords who ruled Japanese provinces from 1185 to 1867 exile Expulsion from a person’s native country feudal A social and political system in which peasants work for a powerful landowner in exchange for food and protection fiefdom A piece of land held under the feudal system kana Any of various Japanese syllabic alphabets kanji Chinese characters ruse A lie; a trick Shinto Native religion of Japan, which stresses the holiness of natural objects shogun Military rulers of Japan from 1185 to 1867

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